Owton, H., Clegg, H. and Allen-Collinson, J. (2016) 'I wanted to be Darcey Bussell': motivations and experiences of female dance teachers. Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin. 22, pp. 55-64. 2044-0820.
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Abstract:
Dance, analogous to professional sport, constitutes an interesting occupation in that there are relatively few
vocations in which the athleticism of the body is inextricably linked to the ability to perform and teach. Dance teachers could pursue teaching as a career as a way to remain involved in the physicality of dance to maintain a sense of self as a dancer. Dance teachers make up a large proportion of the professional dance world in the United Kingdom and yet little is known about their role, training, continuing professional development and motivations to engage in a dance teaching career. To address this lacuna, research was undertaken with ten female dance-teachers (24 to 71 years). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, from which two key themes emerged as salient: (i) staying in dance; (ii) dance teaching as a career: challenges and skills. Pursuing a career in dance teaching was viewed as a way to maintain a sense of self as a dancer. Participants who had been dance performers appeared to view teaching as a natural career progression. The complex skills required of a dance teacher were highlighted and participants positioned dance teaching as a highly specialist career.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Dance, dance teachers, psychology
Subjects:
Creators:
Owton, H., Clegg, H. and Allen-Collinson, J.
Publisher:
British Psychological Society
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
22 September 2016
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 55-64
Journal or Publication Title:
Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin
Volume:
22
Language:
English
ISSN:
2044-0820
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
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